Founding cohort
Twelve states. One published standard.
The founding cohort is where the protocol meets ordinary practice. These are the states opening first, what the schedule looks like, and who is eligible to apply.
Timeline
6 phasesEvery cohort moves through the same six phases. Dates are set per state as applications are reviewed; we publish a schedule to invited applicants rather than a countdown on a marketing page.
Applications open
Interest submissions reviewed in the order received. Licensure, standing, and practice fit are confirmed on a short call before an application is invited.
Review and invitation
The Clinical Governance Committee reviews each application against the published eligibility criteria and issues cohort invitations by state, so that no state opens with a single unsupported practice.
Certification training, 6 to 8 weeks
Twenty to thirty hours of blended curriculum, faculty-reviewed case application, and a live case discussion. The passing standard is published and applied without exception.
Practice onboarding
Assessment infrastructure, the longitudinal dashboard, coaching capacity, and claims-reviewed patient materials are configured for the practice before the first patient is seen.
Directory listing and first patients
The listing publishes once the practice has stated its own pricing and its own booking link. Directory listings are shown by state as certified practices go live.
First year and recertification
Case discussions through the first year, structured feedback into protocol revisions, and annual recertification to keep the credential active.
The twelve founding states
12 statesEach state opens as certified practices complete onboarding. Listing a state here means the cohort is accepting applications from clinicians licensed there; it does not mean a certified practice is live in that state today.
Arizona
AZNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Colorado
CONurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Washington
WANurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Oregon
ORNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Nevada
NVNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Utah
UTNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Minnesota
MNNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
New Hampshire
NHNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Maine
MENurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Vermont
VTNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Montana
MTNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
New Mexico
NMNurse practitioners may practice independently under state law, so both physician-led and NP-led practices can apply.
Eligibility and founding terms
What it takesTo apply, you must meet all of the following
- An active, unrestricted license to practice in at least one founding cohort state, held as an MD, DO, NP, or DNP.
- Current malpractice coverage, with prompt notice to the Institute if licensure or coverage changes.
- No open disciplinary action, and disclosure of any prior action at application.
- Independent practice, direct primary care, concierge, or a group practice with authority to add a cash-pay service line.
- Ability to publish a fixed fee and a booking link the practice controls.
- Capacity to complete the curriculum, the case application, and the live case discussion within the cohort schedule.
- Agreement to deliver the program as published, documenting any clinical override.
- Agreement to the permitted-claims policy in every advertisement, page, and conversation.
What founding terms include
- Discounted certification, with pricing locked for the term of continuous certification.
- Direct advisory input into protocol and curriculum revisions.
- Public recognition as a founding affiliate.
- First position in the state directory as it opens.
Founding terms are time-limited and close when the cohort fills. Meeting the criteria qualifies a clinician to apply; it is not an offer of certification, and the passing standard is applied on the work submitted.
Start with the interest list or a discovery call.
We reply personally; there is no automated sequence and no checkout. If you are licensed outside the twelve states, tell us — later waves are set by where qualified applicants are, and your submission informs that order.